Seizures and Traumatic Brain Injury. Car accidents are more common than many people realize and the serious injuries they cause can be life-changing. According to statistics that have been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- In 2013 alone, more than three million visits to healthcare providers in the United States were for symptoms of a head injury.
- In this same year, close to 300,000 of these visits were by children aged 18 or younger.
- Close to 50,000 were killed by issues related to a traumatic brain injury.
- The admitting diagnosis of “TBI” was listed close to 290,000 hospital admissions.
- Over the past ten years, the rate of visits to an emergency room for traumatic brain injuries has jumped by nearly 50 percent.
These statistics should be alarming and demonstrate just how serious traumatic brain injuries can be. It is crucial for people showing symptoms of a traumatic brain injury to visit a doctor as quickly as possible. The earlier the treatment can begin, the higher the chances of a positive outcome. This can also prevent serious complications from developing.
Complications of a Traumatic Brain Injury
While damage to the brain tissue is severe, many complications might develop following a traumatic brain injury as well. Some of these can lead to permanent motor and sensory deficits. Some of the complications that people might develop include:
- Chronic pain stemming from nerve damage.
- Loss of hearing or vision.
- Anterograde or retrograde memory loss (the inability to form new memories or retain old ones, respectively).
- Difficulty moving certain parts of the body.
- Trouble sensing pain, pressure, or temperature in specific areas of the body.
- Infection at the site of the injury.
- The development of seizures.
Seizures are often overlooked. However, they can be severe and might lead to further brain damage. Therefore, it is vital for everyone to understand what seizures are and how they can develop following a head or brain injury.
Seizures can Occur Following a Head or Brain Injury
Seizures are an uncoordinated firing of neurons that can develop following a direct blow to the head. When many neurons fire at the same time in an uncoordinated manner, the brain, and various body parts have trouble processing the signals. What results is a seizure, which can present in many different ways. Examples include:
- Full-blown tonic-clonic seizures (the jerking of the arms and legs).
- A focal seizure, or the movement of a single part of the body.
- Episodes of staring into space.
- Lip-smacking, tongue-biting, or other rhythmic movements.
- Jerking of the eyes back and forth.
Regardless of how the seizures present, people rarely remember them and often lose control of their bowels and bladder during the event. After a seizure, people are often confused, wondering what had just happened, and appear dazed. Repeated seizures can lead to further brain damage, worsening the harm already done by the brain injury itself. People who suffer from repeated seizures need to see a trained neurologist. Numerous medications and interventions might help to prevent the seizures in the future. Furthermore, there are also medications that can be given during a seizure to stop one already in progress.
Help from a Lawyer
When someone is dealing with a traumatic brain injury, the impact extends to the entire family. There are many questions that people could have. It is essential for families to know where to turn for help during their times of need. Meeting with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can be helpful. A trained legal adviser has the tools necessary to help families under stress.
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Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. A brain injury can lead to seizures. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Seizures and Traumatic Brain Injury: AutoAccident.com
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